Budget 2015 sets path for new Calgary cancer centre

The Alberta government is investing strongly in a new Calgary Cancer Centre that will lead to better cancer care for people in Calgary and the surrounding communities.

Foothills medical campus

Budget 2015 includes $830 million over five years for the new cancer centre, which will be built on the site of the Foothills Medical Centre campus.

“Our government is committed to providing the best possible cancer care for Albertans and their families, and the investments we’re making under this year’s budget reflect that priority. This investment strengthens health care for Albertans, and it’s happening at the right time, while construction costs are low and while we’re focused on taking care of each other during tough times.”

Rachel Notley, Premier

The Calgary Cancer Centre will replace the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and will provide more inpatient beds and additional patient services.

“I applaud the Alberta government for making this very important investment in the Calgary Cancer Centre, and more importantly, in bringing better cancer care to Calgarians and people across the province. The focus the government has brought to this project shows they are serious about meeting the cancer care needs of Albertans, not only today but well into the future.”

Myka Osinchuk, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation

“State of the art facilities like we’re going to see in the new Calgary Cancer Centre are an essential part of Alberta’s cancer care infrastructure. Every day about 43 Albertans learn they have cancer, and our current projections are that we’re going to see more Albertans being diagnosed with cancer each year. The Calgary Cancer Centre will be vital to meeting the cancer care needs of these Albertans.”

The Calgary Cancer Centre is well into the planning stages. After analysis of the site this summer, a final location has been chosen for the facility on the northeast corner of the Foothills Medical Centre Campus.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017 and the centre is expected to open by 2024.

Budget 2015 includes $2.2 billion for health infrastructure over the next five years. A total of $652 million will go towards addressing maintenance needs at health-care facilities across the province.

Investments in other health-care facilities in Calgary and across the province include: